Crowns

Crowns cover or "cap" a tooth to restore the normal function and appearance of the tooth. Crowns may be made as all metal, porcelain fused to metal or all-ceramic (porcelain). Crowns are indicated for teeth with very large fillings, teeth that have had a root canal, fractured teeth or cracked tooth, mis-shapen and/or discolored teeth, and teeth with pre-existing crowns.

The procedure:

Typically, a crown procedure is completed in two dental visits. During the first dental visit, we will remove the decay, restore the damaged tooth with filling material, and reshape the tooth. A molded impression of the tooth is then taken and sent to a dental laboratory, where a crown is fabricated. You will go home with a temporary crown.

At the 2nd dental visit, the temporary is removed, the crown is placed. We will check to make sure the margins to ensure smooth fitting with tight adjacent contacts. We will also check your bite to ensure that there are no occlusion problems. Once fitted, the crown is cemented or bonded onto the tooth.

Aftercare:

After your permanent crown has been placed, it is important to maintain proper oral hygiene habits by brushing twice daily and flossing with dental floss or interdental cleaners (specially designed brushes and sticks) once a day. These practices will help remove plaque from the area where the crown meets the gum, and help prevent dental decay and gum disease.

Avoid chewing hard foods, ice or other hard objects, since this could damage your crown. It is also important to avoid biting your fingernails and grinding your teeth, which could significantly shorten the life-span of your dental crown. If you habitually clench or grind your teeth, we recommend you to wear a night-time occlusal guard to help protect your crowns while sleeping. A night occlusal guard should be fabricated with your own impression, not from any drug stores. The over-the-counter mouth guards are not designed for long-term wear, therefore they can change your bite.

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